Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS hosted its annual Dining by Design benefit at the Merchandise Mart last week, from November 3 to 5. Industry pros, including architects, painters, and fashion designers, styled 28 dining room vignettes for the weekend-long event, which included a cocktail party, a public viewing day, a student day, and a gala dinner. Here's a look at some inventive tabletop ideas from the event.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Heffernan Morgan Ronsley Design Group created a black-and-white setting meant to look like an illustrated image come to life.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
A centerpiece of red flowers popped against the black-and-white palette of the table, which was set with lacy white plates and glossy black wine glasses.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Skender Construction's table, which also had a black, white, and red color scheme, was lit by a fixture made from umbrellas.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
The black-and-white theme continued at Knoll's graphic table, which was designed by Gensler for the Chicago High School for the Arts.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Students from the Illinois Institute of Art, mentored by fashion designer Maria Pinto, designed a table setting inspired by Alice in Wonderland.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Mismatched teacups, clocks, and playing cards were scattered across the tabletop.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Alice in Wonderland also inspired a vignette by a team of designers from the Merchandise Mart's Designers on Call program.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Clocks, plates with mismatched patterns, and cookies decorated the table.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
The work of pop artist Roy Lichtenstein was the inspiration for the MDC Wallcoverings vignette, designed by Perkins and Will.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
The setting had a comic book style skyline as its backdrop, and drawings of lamps and paintings decorated the walls.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
The table from Leopardo, designed by Interior Architects, had a circus theme.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
A working popcorn machine added an appropriate aroma to the setting.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Students from the International Academy of Design and Technology, mentored by fashion designer Alessandra Branca, designed a table with an ocean theme.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
A woven fixture that looked like a fisherman's net filled with colorful sea creatures hung above the table.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
The ocean influence also appeared in a vignette by another team of designers from the Merchandise Mart's Designers on Call: Silky, jellyfish-like lanterns hung above the table.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
The table was fashioned from a glass-topped copper bathtub filled with water, coral, and other representations of sea life.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Another beach-inspired setting came from students of the the Harrington College of Design's graduate program, mentored by Cary Johnson. A surfboard draped in nets hung over the table.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
LED votive candles were placed in sand-filled vessels, and seaweed was tucked under napkin rings.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Lanterns and jewel-tone fabrics hung above the table from Oscar Isberian Rugs Inc., designed by Susan Fredman Design Group.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Walls made from rolled up carpets gave the installation a log cabin feel.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Bright colors and layered patterns were the focal point of the table from Kravet Inc.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Tall white orchids filled vases, while pink blossoms decorated plates.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Filled with white pillows and a hookah pipe, the setting from Carnegie, designed by Gensler, resembled a hookah lounge.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Gilt City's table, designed by Nate Berkus and Associates, featured a rustic centerpiece by Epoch Floral that combined yellow tulips, logs, and seasonal vegetables.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Hanging film strips and filament light bulbs decorated the futuristic setting from Erg International, designed by Weetu.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Film strips also appeared inside glass bowls on the mirrored tabletop.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
The shape of a vintage TV framed a vignette from Coalesse and Steelcase, designed by Nelson.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
TV-dinner and cocktail trays decorated the living room setting inside.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
At a table designed by students from the Harrington College of Design with Daniela Ghertovici, miniature origami swans served as drink garnishes.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
